Just as the name says, the Chevrolet Cruze turn the heads of many as it moved down the racetrack at the World Touring Car Championship 2009 in Macau, cruising its pole position right to the end and proved why it is named.
To be able to sit among the crowd witnessing WTCC live at Guia Circuit located around the streets of Macau was a memorable and interesting experience for winners of the Chevrolet Grand Draw who thanked their lucky stars for being picked among hundreds to win the trip to the race.
One of the excited winners said it was truly an experience having to stand there listening to the roaring and screeching of the racing street machines and seeing them driving past in split of seconds and the sense of pride of a Chevy owner was even more than seeing the Chevrolet Team leading straight to checked flag.
From someone with zero interest in car racing, the trip built his interest in this particular challenging sport.
The trip, he added, had also given him the confidence of driving the Chevrolet as the race had given solid proof that the Chevrolet engine is definitely the best among the best, though initially purchasing his Chevy Captiva was totally due to the attractive promotion offered by Chevrolet Brunei dealer.
The trip had indeed changed his standpoint about the Chevrolet, yet, at the same time he noted that he had made the right choice of car as the Captiva provides him a comfortable and smooth ride, just as how it has been claimed.
Overall it was a well-organised trip for him and he gave the thumbs up to the management and officials participating in the trip comprising General Manager Jake Goh, Sales Manager Tony Leung, tops sales executives and GHK motors officials Hal and Nazree.
From the welcoming dinner that saw Chevrolet dealers from various countries to the race day and the many visits to the places of interests, it was all well taken care of and made him feel at ease being a first time visitor to Macau.
At the welcoming dinner that took place at one of the prestigious hotels, L’Arc Macau, the group also had the opportunity to get up close with the WTCC drivers and the night also saw touring car star and Chevrolet WTCC driver Nicola Larini bidding his farewell to WTCC.
The 45-year old Italian driver commented that having spent 20 seasons at the highest level in touring car racing, he intends to devote more time to his personal life and other interests, yet, he will not quit racing, his lifelong passion. He wishes not to be involved anymore in professional projects as demanding as WTCC.
Starting his career with single-seaters, spending 10 years in Formula 1 and fulfilling the dream of any Italian racer to be a Grand Prix driver for Ferrari, he has indeed become a touring car legend where he clinched the DTM (1993) and ISC (1992) titles and in major international touring car series, he had won no less than 48 race wins.
Nicola said after so many years of his life in motorsports, it is timely for him to take a different approach to racing and to give back to his family as well as to develop his other interests.
“I say goodbye to the WTCC today in Macau, but I will not quit racing altogether.
“I will continue racing, but want to be involved in projects not taking such a heavy toll on my personal life. Chevrolet and RML have been my WTCC home for the last five years, a spell of my career nearly as long as the ones I spent with Ferrari and Alfa Romeo. It has been a fantastic time that I will cherish forever in my memory. I wish to thank Chevrolet and RML for all the support received during these five years and wish them well for the future,” he said.
Well, this summed up our WTCC trip to Macau and as for me, the most memorable experience was being able to stand among the limited peoples at the grid walk and get up close with the cars and drivers.
The newcomer, which has the stance of a four-door coupe, will start from just £11,545 on-the-road, and will arrive at UK Chevrolet retailers in July.
